By Sam Gilliland

The 16-year-old will spend a week with the north London outfit to gain experience and attempt to impress Gunners scouts ahead of a possible switch when he turns 18 in February 2014

Arsenal have handed a trial to Vasco da Gama’s 16-year-old midfielder Indio, with the view to a potential transfer when he turns 18.

The highly rated youngster understands the short stay is more about gaining experience rather than impressing a possible future club, but he still hopes to catch the eye of Arsene Wenger.

Indio, who hopes to make a permanent move to Europe after his 18th birthday on February 28, 2014, also revealed his admiration for Arsenal star Theo Walcott.

He told Globo Esporte: "I like [Walcott] a lot. His style of play is very fast, which pleases me.

"I'm anxious for this new stage in my life. I'll spend a week at Arsenal. It will be cool, I hope I enjoy it.

"Of course I have the dream of playing for a European club, but everything has its right time. It will be a good experience. I want to learn."

Vasco da Gama’s directors have insisted that the week-long trial does not indicate an imminent move or that the Premier League side will have first refusal once the youngster is able to move to Europe.